On How To Wash Your Hair Less

3.3.13

I hate washing my hair. I guess that if you've once had short hair, the adjustment you have to make when it gets longer when it comes to maintenance is so huge you never get over it. Washing your hair when it's short: whenever it gets smelly, takes 2 minutes and dries on its own within like, half an hour. Washing your hair when it's longer than about chinlength: has to be done more often because greasiness is more noticable, takes at least 20 minutes to do all the lathering and conditioning and your hair doesn't get dry until, like, two hours later. Unless you use a hairdryer, which is HARD to do right, and damages your hair (and makes it look dry and frizzy, if you ask me).

Washing my hair has become something I do more because it starts to smell rather than because it looks like a sad bowl of spaghetti strands on my head, which is a victory in its own right. I am personally convinced that no one LOVES to wash their hair, but apart from all of the time one wins if they don't have to lather up daily, not washing all the time also does a LOT for the health and volume of your hair. Trust me, my hair has SO much more body than it used to, and my ends don't split as soon anymore. Also, if you color your hair, that color will last a LOT longer if you don't wash it every day. Money saver!

If you're curious as to how I accomplished this feat, here are a few key points when it comes to washing your hair less:

use products without silicones, sulphates or parabens. Apart from possibly maybe causing cancer, these make your hair look dull, coat it with plastics which make it impossible for nourishing treatments to actually do something for your hair, and strip your hair from its natural oils which makes your scalp overcompensate by producing more oil than necessary. End result: lackluster, dry hair that has lost its own texture (when your hair is curly or wavy) and gets greasy within the blink of an eye. NOT HOT. A good option is the Body Shop's Rainforest line which is very affordable and contains no 'cones, sulphates or parabens whatsoever but smells lovely and gets the job done.

embrace dry shampoo. I normally use my dry shampoo on the first or second day after washing, because that's when my scalp seems to produce the most oils. After that, my hair settles into a state that I find very enjoyable: voluminous, and easy to style into any sort of look I like. Finding a dry shampoo you love is a whole 'nother story of course, but I love Syoss. The scent, the fact that it doesn't leave my hair sitting with grey residu, and the affordable price. A recommendation!

try to wait between washes as long as possible. I put my hair up in a messy bun for one extra day when it gets to that point, letting it stew in its own fluids which is like giving it an au natural deep conditioning in a way (lulz).

ANYWAY that is my secret map toward washing your hair less. If you have any questions, don't be afraid to ask! GO FORTH AND MULTIPLY YOUR NON WASHING DAYS!

wow your hair has gotten so gorgeous!! and it looks esp amazing for so many days w/out a wash. I'm a huge advocate of natural products and am on the lookout for a new shampoo and conditioner so thanks for the rec! I def need to start using dry shamboo although I def overuse the beanie or head scarf to go a few extra days too. good tips!http://dusanabotswana.com

that is some pretty good advice! I've bee struggling with washing my hair less frequently, and my hair stylist suggested I only wash it with water from time to time. and it does work! I wash it once with shampoo and the next 2 3 times with water only. but I am afraid to advocate it cuz people will think I'm crazy :):

beanie I def wouldn't do at work since I work a "9-5" and have to dress professional but I have a few nicer thrifted silk headscarves that come in quite handy. btw i have one more question... how much dry shampoo do you use? and do you just rub it lightly into your roots?